Italy: Human Traffickers 'Stabbed 60 Migrants to Death' in Latest Boat Tragedy
Italian police have arrested five human traffickers under allegations of stabbing 60 migrants to death and throwing their bodies into the sea off the coast of Lampedusa.
Asylum-seekers rescued by the Danish petrol tanker Torm Lotte between Libya and Malta and taken to Messina told investigators that the sinking fishing boat was carrying between 700 and 750 people, according to Italian media.
Only 569 people were rescued by the Danish freighter, while the others died drowning or were allegedly stabbed or beaten to death by the traffickers in the fishing boat's hold and then hurled into the sea.
Due to its southern location, Lampedusa is a favourite target of migrant smugglers who usually set sail from Libya's loosely patrolled coast.
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http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/italy-human-traffickers-stabbed-60-migrants-death-latest-boat-tragedy-1457821
